Article · May 2026
Wordplay in crossword clues
Not every crossword clue is a straight definition. Some clues work by misdirection, double meaning, sound, or a small shift in how the wording is read.
§ 1
Read the clue twice
The first meaning that comes to mind may be a trap. If the answer length and crossings disagree with your first idea, read the clue again and ask whether a second meaning is hiding in plain sight.
Common words are often the trickiest because they carry several meanings. The clue may be fair, but only after you choose the right sense.
§ 2
Let the grid test the joke
A wordplay idea still has to fit the crossings. If the idea is clever but the pattern resists it, leave it provisional and solve elsewhere.
Good wordplay should feel satisfying once confirmed. It should not require you to ignore the letters already in the grid.